POLI-TICKING

When Jack A. Markell was running for re-election as
the Democratic state treasurer in 2002, he rolled out
lists of "Lawyers for Markell" and "Educators for
Markell" and so on.

It is curious he never got around to "Eye Doctors for
Markell." The one trait his supporters mention most is
his vision.

For example, here is the way state Sen. David P.
Sokola, a Pike Creek Valley Democrat, explaining his
reasons for backing Markell instead of Lt. Gov. John C.
Carney Jr. for the 2008 Democratic nomination for
governor -- "I've always liked both of them, but I think
Jack brings a unique vision."

Vision is nothing without focus, as Markell himself
knows, so he is preparing to deliver on the clarity.

There has been talk in Delaware Democratic circles
that Markell is writing a book, but it is not so. What
he is writing is a series of position papers offering
his perspective on health care, education, economic
development and other matters. Their release is expected
in the fall.

"I spend a lot of time thinking about the future of
Delaware and what we should be doing. We'll be letting
people know where we stand on a variety of issues,"
Markell said.

As much as Markell is mentioned for his vision, he
also has a way with the sidelong political glance, slyly
challenging his rivals without really appearing to do
so. He figuratively shot one of those looks at Carney
and perhaps Alan B. Levin, a potential candidate for the
Republicans, as he described the rationale behind his
upcoming position papers.

"I'm sure anybody running for governor will do the
same," Markell said, his vision leavened with a little
wink.

# # #

The record holders for Delaware's most expensive
campaign for the state Senate will be tangling again in
2008.

The record belongs to state Sen. John C. Still III, a
Republican first elected in 1988, and Brian J.
Bushweller, a Democrat who ran four years ago, for a
Kent County district that is shaped something like a
deformed butterfly and includes Dover, Little Creek and
Camden-Wyoming.

Together they spent more than $250,000, dwarfing
$200,000 races between Republican Sen. Liane M. Sorenson
and Democrat Richard A. DiLiberto Jr. for a
Newark-Hockessin seat in 2002, and between Democratic
Sen. Dave Sokola and Republican Michael J. Ramone for a
Pike Creek Valley seat in 2006.

Bushweller nearly beat Still in 2004, when Still's
political stature was peaking as the Senate minority
leader who was regarded as a possible Republican
candidate for governor in 2008. Bushweller held Still to
51 percent of the vote.

Since then, circumstances have gone in Bushweller's
direction. The Democratic advantage in registration has
widened by another 700 votes, while Still's political
standing has taken a downturn. He lost his leadership
post to state Sen. Charles L. Copeland and faded out of
the mix for governor.

A revival in the Kent County Democratic Party could
benefit Bushweller, too, not that Still is conceding
anything.

"We had great support last time, but incumbency was
hard to overcome. This time we have better name
recognition," Bushweller said.

"I think it will be a tough race. I'll make him work
for it," Still said.

Still, 54, runs an insurance agency. Bushweller, 61,
is retiring in September as the state director for U.S.
Sen. Thomas R. Carper, a Democrat for whom Bushweller
also served as the public safety secretary when Carper
was the governor.

With such a fierce campaign anticipated, both
candidates are getting an early start. Bushweller filed
for the race last week, and Still has a fund-raiser
scheduled in September.

Their rematch has all the makings for exceeding what
the two spent last time -- or at least what they were
required by law to report they spent.

"It doesn't include my extra business advertising,
which is perfectly legal," Still said.